Fulbright New Zealand welcomes funding increase from MFAT

WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND 1 March 2018 — Fulbright New Zealand is delighted that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade has announced it is doubling its core funding to Fulbright New Zealand to NZ$1.35 million per annum.

This funding provides for a permanent increase in the number of grants Fulbright New Zealand is able to offer to New Zealand Graduates and Scholars seeking research and study opportunities in the United States. It will also increase the financial value of the awards, up to US$40,000 (Approx. NZ$55,000) for New Zealand graduate students for their first year of study or research.

With the new funding, Fulbright New Zealand will also be able to offer the possibility of second year funding to some graduates seeking multi-year degree programmes. The announcement comes just as Fulbright New Zealand is celebrating its 70th anniversary year.

“We are thrilled with this news, which will put Fulbright New Zealand on a sustainable and substantially enhanced funding base,” said Executive Director Penelope Borland. “With this new level of funding from MFAT, we will be able to open doors for more incredibly talented New Zealanders to benefit from educational and cultural exchange with the US, while also enhancing their overall Fulbright experience.”

This will come into effect for this year’s applicants, applying in 2018 for travel to the United States in 2019. Applicants for the New Zealand Graduate Awards are encouraged to apply by 1 August, and New Zealand Scholars should apply by 1 October.

“We are extremely grateful to MFAT for this funding increase and look forward to the life changing opportunities it will bring to our grantees, and the benefit they bring back to Aoetearoa New Zealand,” said Borland.

The full impact of this increase on Fulbright New Zealand award levels will be made public on its website at the end of March 2018. Please check back for specific award details at that time: www.fulbright.org.nz

For more information, please contact Fulbright New Zealand Communications Manager Rachel Tilghman on Ph. 04 494 1507 or at rachel@fulbright.org.nz. A press release is also available from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade here.

ENDS.

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Fulbright New Zealand

Fulbright New Zealand was established in 1948 to promote mutual understanding through educational and cultural exchanges between New Zealand and the United States of America. The Fulbright programme offers a range of prestigious awards for New Zealand and American graduate students, academics, artists and professionals to study, research and teach in each other’s countries. More than 3,000 people have benefited from a Fulbright exchange between New Zealand and the United States to date. The programme is jointly funded by the US and New Zealand governments with additional funding from award sponsors, private philanthropists and alumni donors. More information is available here.